The future’s Bright - new name for flagship MSP building revealed

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Manchester Science Partnerships has announced the name of its newest and most technology-enabled building.

Due to open in late May, the 70,000 sq ft Bright Building on Manchester Science Park will be the nerve-centre of digital innovation in the North West, the HQ of CityVerve, the UK's Internet of Things city demonstrator, and Mi-IDEA, a post accelerator and open innovation centre for fast-growth technology businesses, operated in partnership with Cisco.

Thomas Renn, Managing Director of MSP, the UK's leading science and technology park operator, announced the new name during a packed event at MIPIM, the international property conference held annually in Cannes.

He said at the showcase, 'Connecting Manchester: Smart City, Smart People', that the name was chosen to reflect the building's status as an incubator of bright ideas, and the natural home for people working in the growth sectors of tomorrow.

He said: "During construction we had used the working title of No.1 MSP Central, but now we're approaching completion we want this first new build on site for over 15 years to truly reflect the potential of this space - light, floor to ceiling glazing - and the people on the campus and wider Innovation District. It's a bright space, for bright people with bright ideas."

Renn said the Bright Building would also be one of Europe's most technology-enabled: "It features best of breed, interoperable technologies such as hyper-location services that give a real-time overview of building use and environmental sensors.

"A ‘digital ceiling’ will provide a next generation lighting solution bringing together lighting, building automation and sensor technologies to make the building smarter, lower cost, and will significantly change the way companies interact with their customers and employees."

A key feature of the Bright Building is also the significant space dedicated to collaboration and social activities to support an even more connected community on campus and with the wider Innovation District. It also features a fitness studio, cafe-bar and event space with capacity for up to 200 people.

"We want this new building to be the heart of Manchester Science Park. Our goal is to create inspiring and open places where people can come together, share ideas, develop commercial applications for ground-breaking R&D and grow successful businesses.”

The Bright Building, which has been part-funded by the North West Evergreen Fund (backed by the European Regional Development Fund), and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, is located within the Corridor Manchester Enterprise Zone, which provides significant financial benefits for businesses looking to locate here.

Qualifying businesses moving to the Bright Building before March 31 2021 may be eligible for a total of £275k in business rates relief over a period of five years.

Manchester Science Park is home to a thriving and diverse community of more than 160 high growth science and technology businesses, ranging from start-ups to global corporates.